Convertible furniture

ABSTRACT

A readily convertible chair and bed structure which is characterized by extreme simplicity of construction and operation. A simple folding mode enables quick conversion from chair to bed or lounge. A unique head bolster is positively positioned for sleep at a desirable angle by an underlying support contained in the chair frame.

United States Patent Melvin R. Jones Baltimore; Victor M. Peruzzi, Forestville; Joseph G. Peruzzi, Forestville, all of, Md. 846,190 July 3 0, l 969 Aug. 17, 1971 Victor Stanley, Inc.

Dunkirk, Md.

Inventors App]. No. Filed Patented Assignee CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 297/105 Int. Cl A47c 13/00 Field of Search 297/105, 107-109, 112; 5/59 5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,504,940 4/1970 Friese 297/105 FOREIGN PATENTS 562,542 9/1958 Canada Primary Examiner.lames C. Mitchell A ttorneyMason, Fenwick & Lawrence ABSTRACT: A readily convertible chair and bed structure which is characterized by extreme simplicity of construction and operation. A simple folding mode enables quick conversion from chair to bed or lounge. A unique head bolster is positively positioned for sleep at a desirable angle by an underlying support contained in the chair frame.

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE The main object of the invention is toprovide a simple and economical convertible chair and bed unit which is easy to operate and which is very comfortable when used as a chair, lounge or bed. The device is also sturdy and compact and employs no awkward and expensive mechanical linkages and springs usually found in furniture units of this general type. A prime feature of the invention resides in the provision of a supporting means to positively hold a-head bolster or cushion at a certain angle in a sleep position. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible furniture unit embodying the invention with the parts thereof positioned to form an upholstered chair.

FIG. 2 is a central vertical section through the invention shown in FIG. 1, with parts in elevation.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of the convertible furniture unit extended to form a lounge or bed, parts omitted.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation, partly in vertical cross section, showing the unit forming a bed and particularly illustrating the locator means for the head bolster.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation partly in vertical cross section, showing an alternative embodiment for supporting the bolster in bed or lounge position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals designate like parts, the numeral designates a main frame for the furniture unit which is essentially U-shaped when viewed from the top including vertical sides 11 and a vertical back 12, all rigidly interconnected and suitably upholstered. The front of the main frame It) is open.

An extendable and retractable folding support unit 13 is provided comprising an inner support section 14 and an outer section 15 hingedly secured to the inner section by a lateral hinge 16. The inner support section 14 is hinged between the frame sides 11 on a cross-shaft or pintle 17 whose ends are anchored to the sides 11. The two support sections 14 and 15 are rectangular and include unit frames 18, as shown in FIG. 2, and are suitably cushioned and upholstered, as shown. The forward support section 15 has an integral rigid leg, extension 19 at its leading edge, and folding legs 21) support the two sections 14 and 15 at their hinged ends, FIG. 4, and on opposite sides thereof. As clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the two support sections 14 and 15 are easily swingable on their pivot axes 16 and 17 from a folded chair forming position to extended bed or lounge configuration.

Within the lower rear portion of the main frame 10 and preferably rigidly integrated therewith is a low level horizontal platform 21 having underlying transverse and longitudinal support rails 22 and 23 forming a rigid unit. A distinct transverse slot 24 is provided in the platform 21, near and somewhat rearwardly of the forward rail 22 and this slot serves an important purpose in the invention, to be described. On opposite sides of the slot 24 the platform 21 may be further reinforced by cross members 25 to enable it to bear the weight to which it is subjected during use. As shown in FIG. 4, the platform 21 is at a considerable level below the bottoms of the extended support sections 14 and 15. When these sections are folded, FIG. 2, the support section 14 becomes inverted from its position of FIG. 4 and lies directly upon the platform 21 with the support section 15 superposed thereon with its cushioned and upholstered face uppermost to serve as a seat. The folding leg now lies between the two sections 14 and 15, as shown, and both sections are firmly supported on the platform 21 and through the cross-shaft 17.

The furniture unit further comprises a cushion or bolster 26 which extends for the full distance between the sides 11 andis in the shape of a truncated right triangle as viewed from the end, FIG. 2. The bolster 26 has top and bottom flat parallel faces 27 and 28, a right angular rear face 29 and a diagonal front face 30 against which the user rests his back when the convertible unit is in the chair mode, FIG. 2. At this time, the bottom bolster face 28 rests upon the horizontal support section 15 and the right angular bolster face 29 engages the back 12 of the main frame 10.

When the unit is, extended to form a bed or lounge, FIG. 4, a large gap is formed directly above the platform 21 and rearwardly of the support section 14. FIG. 4. This gap is adapted to receive the bolster 26 with its right angular corner 31 entering the slot 24 and positioned and stabilized by this slot. The diagonal face 30 of the bolster is now uppermost and somewhat inclined above the horizontal to form a head rest. The rear lower corner of the bolster at this time is firmly supported by a horizontal transverse ledge bar 32 projecting forwardly from the frame back 12 and rigid therewith. The ledge 32 may be further supported by a vertical plank 33 immediately forwardly of the frame back 12. The ledge bar 32 is elevated substantially above the platform 21, as shown, so as to support the bolster 26 with its diagonal face 30 at a predetermined desirable angle of inclination. The forward upper corner 34 of the cushion bolster is now flush with the top face of support section 14 and the bolster 26 is in effect interlocked by the slot 24, support section 14 and ledge bar 32 and will not slip or be displaced. However, the bolster is easily lifted from its sleep use position of FIG. 4 and easily dropped into place. A regular bed pillow may be employed on top of the bolster 26, if desired.

An alternative embodiment is disclosed in FIG. 5 for supporting the bolster 26 in a bed or lounge position. Specifically, the comer 31 of the holster 26 rests on a platform 21 with the corner 29 thereof engaging the ledge bar 32, and a portion of the vertical plank 33, which in this construction extends outwardly of the bar 32. The cushion 14 provides support for the forward portion of the bolster as shown in FIG. 4.

Without further description, it is believed that the various features of the invention are now fully understood as well as the inherent simplicity of the device, its sturdiness and compactness. A furniture module is pr ided which can be quickly converted from a comfortable easy chair to a bed or lounge. The device is highly useful in the home or in motels and the like in place of the usual folding bed or cot which has no utility as a chair or seat.

We claim:

l. A convertible furniture unit comprising a main frame, an extendable and retractable support assembly movably connected with the main frame and shiftable between retracted chair forming and extended sleep positions, a head bolster formed separately from the main frame and said support assembly and having corner portions and a head rest surface, platform means within the main frame below the elevation of the support assembly when the latter is in the sleep position and rearwardly of such assembly and receiving and supporting said bolster with the head rest ..urfa :e thereof uppermost and said corners of the bolster directly engaging the platform means, said platform means comprising a depressed horizontal platform in the rear portion of the main frame and having a transverse slot receiving and stabilizing one comer of the bolster, and a rearward horizontal ledge element spaced above the depressed platform and engaging under and supporting a second corner of the bolster so that the head rest surface thereof is held at a certain angle of inclination above the horizontal, said depressed platform also serving to support the support assembly when the latter is in the retracted chair forming position.

2. The structure of claim I wherein said bolster in transverse cross section is in the form of a truncated right triangle so that the right angular base corner thereof is positioned in said transverse slot and is stabilized thereby.

3. A bed and chair convertible unit comprising a main generally U-shaped frame having a hack and sides and being open at its front, an articulated support assembly hinged to the sides of the main frame and including a pair of folding sections adapted when folded into superposed relation to form a seat support and when extended in horizontal end-to-end relation to form a sleep support, there being a relatively large compartment rearwardly of the support assembly when the latter is extended to form a sleep support, a depressed platform in the lower portion of the main frame below said compartment including a pair of transverse stabilizing parts at stepped elevations, said pair of transverse stabilizing parts consisting of a transverse slot in the depressed platform, and a transverse ledge member spaced above said platform substantially at the rear of said main frame and a cushion bolster placeable loosely into said compartment and having corner portions engaging said transverse slot and said ledge whereby a head rest surface of the cushion bolster will be held in a certain angled relation to the top surface of the extended support assembly.

4. The structure of claim 3, wherein the rear edge of said extended support assembly is disposed above the forward end of the depressed platform so as to define the forward wall of said compartment, said platform forming the bottom wall of the compartment and the back of the main frame forming the rear wall thereof, said cushion bolster held captive within the compartment by the walls thereof and also held at the desired angle by said slot and transverse ledge member. 

1. A convertible furniture unit comprising a main frame, an extendable and retractable support assembly movably connected with the main frame and shiftable between retracted chair forming and extended sleep positions, a head bolster formed separately from the main frame and said support assembly and having corner portions and a head rest surface, platform means within the main frame below the elevation of the support assembly when the latter is in the sleep position and rearwardly of such assembly and receiving and supporting said bolster with the head rest surface thereof uppermost and said corners of the bolster directly engaging the platform means, said platform means comprising a depressed horizontal platform in the rear portion of the main frame and having a transverse slot receiving and stabilizing one corner of the bolster, and a rearward horizontal ledge element spaced above the depressed platform and engaging under and supporting a second corner of the bolster so that the head rest surface thereof is held at a certain angle of inclination above the horizontal, said depressed platform also serving to support the support assembly when the latter is in the retracted chair forming position.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said bolster in transverse cross section is in the form of a truncated right triangle so that the right angular base corner thereof is positioned in said transverse slot and is stabilized thereby.
 3. A bed and chair convertible unit comprising a main generally U-shaped frame having a back and sides and being open at its front, an articulated support assembly hinged to the sides of the main frame and including a pair of folding sections adapted when folded into superposed relation to form a seat support and when extended in horizontal end-to-end relation to form a sleep support, there being a relatively large compartment rearwardly of the support assembly when the latter is extended to form a sleep support, a depressed platform in the lower portion of the main frame below said compartment including a pair of transverse stabilizing parts at stepped elevations, said pair of transverse stabilizing parts consisting of a transverse slot in the depressed platform, and a transverse ledge member spaced above said platform substantially at the rear of said main frame and a cushion bolster placeable loosely into said compartment and having corner portions engaging said transverse slot and said ledge whereby a head rest surface of the cushion bolster will be held in a certain angled relation to the top surface of the extended support assembly.
 4. The structure of claim 3, wherein the rear edge of said extended support assembly is disposed above the forward end of the depressed platform so as to define the forward wall of said compartment, said platform forming the bottom wall of the compartment and the back of the main frame forming the rear wall thereof, said cushion bolster held captive within the compartment by the walls thereof and also held at the desired angle by said slot and transverse ledge member. 